Comparison of the effect of two heights of glycine irrigation solution on serum sodium and osmolality during transurethral resection of the prostate.
BACKGROUND
The absorption of sodium-deficient, hypotonic irrigation solution is believed to contribute, in certain cases, to hyponatraemia and hypo-osmolality and, in severe cases, to the so-called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) syndrome.


METHODS
The effect of the height of 1.5% glycine irrigation solution during intermittent-flow TURP on serum sodium and osmolality was studied peri-operatively in 40 patients. The height of the glycine was set at 70 (n = 20) or 150 (n = 20) cm above the operating table.


RESULTS
We found no statistically significant difference in the measured serum sodium (P = 0.929) and osmolality (P = 0.260) values between the two groups during the 24 hr study period.


CONCLUSIONS
The height of the irrigation solution is not important in the development of hyponatraemia and hypo-osmolality, and other factors are probably more important.
van Renen
R G
RG
Deparmtent of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Dunedin Hospital, New Zealand.
Reymann
U
U
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005998:Glycine; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000209:etiology*; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011467:Prostate; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D012964:Sodium; D005998:Glycine